No decision yet on crippled Fla. nuke plant

Progress Energy is still undecided on whether to repair or shut down its crippled nuclear power plant in Crystal River.

The Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE — Progress Energy is still undecided on whether to repair or shut down its crippled nuclear power plant in Crystal River.

That means that the state's second-largest power company could have to refund customers $100 million under a prior settlement between the utility and consumer advocates. That settlement calls for the refund if repairs had not begun by the end of 2012.

A lawyer for the utility company told state regulators Monday that Progress expects to have a decision about the plant by this coming summer - although he didn't rule out an announcement before then.

The reactor has been down since late 2009 when its concrete containment building cracked during a maintenance and upgrade project.

Officials say fixing the plant would likely take several years and cost billions.